'Ted Lasso' wraps Season 4 with more cameos from original cast – See who returned
Erin JensenAug. 5, 2026Updated Oct. 7, 2026, 1:32 p.m. ET
![More than three years after “Ted Lasso” Season 3 ended, Apple TV’s Emmy-winning comedy returned to the pitch on Aug. 5, 2026 for Season 4. Now centered on AFC Richmond’s women’s team, the hit show brought back some, but not all, of the beloved characters. “We wanted everyone to have something to do and a purpose in the story, if they were coming [back],” series cocreator Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard, tells USA TODAY. “We're not ‘The Simpsons,’” says Jason Sudeikis, series star, cocreator and executive producer. “All these characters are real people. We can't just draw them. You have to pay for plane tickets and transportation and … snacks. The snacks alone will kill you." Here are the characters who returned for Season 4.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/08/04/USAT/91168531007-apple-tv-ted-lasso-photo-040101.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
More than three years after “Ted Lasso” Season 3 ended, Apple TV’s Emmy-winning comedy returned to the pitch on Aug. 5, 2026 for Season 4.
Now centered on AFC Richmond’s women’s team, the hit show brought back some, but not all, of the beloved characters.
“We wanted everyone to have something to do and a purpose in the story, if they were coming [back],” series cocreator Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard, tells USA TODAY.
“We're not ‘The Simpsons,’” says Jason Sudeikis, series star, cocreator and executive producer. “All these characters are real people. We can't just draw them. You have to pay for plane tickets and transportation and … snacks. The snacks alone will kill you."
Here are the characters who returned for Season 4.
Michael Becker/Apple TVNow centered on AFC Richmond’s women’s team, the hit show brought back some, but not all, of the beloved characters.
“We wanted everyone to have something to do and a purpose in the story, if they were coming [back],” series cocreator Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard, tells USA TODAY.
“We're not ‘The Simpsons,’” says Jason Sudeikis, series star, cocreator and executive producer. “All these characters are real people. We can't just draw them. You have to pay for plane tickets and transportation and … snacks. The snacks alone will kill you."
Here are the characters who returned for Season 4.
Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis)
What would “Ted Lasso” be without its titular character? When Season 4 kicks off, Ted is asked to leave his current position as an assistant manager at a Kansas City grocery store to coach AFC Richmond’s women’s team, an idea pitched in the Season 3 finale. Ted hesitates to leave the States again but realizes he must follow his passion.
Michael Becker/Apple TVWhat would “Ted Lasso” be without its titular character? When Season 4 kicks off, Ted is asked to leave his current position as an assistant manager at a Kansas City grocery store to coach AFC Richmond’s women’s team, an idea pitched in the Season 3 finale. Ted hesitates to leave the States again but realizes he must follow his passion.
Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt)
In the Season 3 finale, Coach Beard faked a medical emergency to get off the plane headed back to America so he could be with his love, Jane (Phoebe Walsh).
Hunt says when he, Sudeikis and writers assembled in Ojai in 2024 to contemplate a possible comeback, the team determined, “The soil remains fertile, so let's have a go.’”
Colin Hutton/Apple TVIn the Season 3 finale, Coach Beard faked a medical emergency to get off the plane headed back to America so he could be with his love, Jane (Phoebe Walsh).
Hunt says when he, Sudeikis and writers assembled in Ojai in 2024 to contemplate a possible comeback, the team determined, “The soil remains fertile, so let's have a go.’”
![Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) In the Season 4 opener, AFC Richmond club owner Rebecca flies to Kansas City to recruit Ted for the women’s team, with marketing genius Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) and her right-hand man, Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift). “It's so lovely that clearly the germ went [from] Keeley Jones into Rebecca's ear,” Waddingham says. “Rebecca obviously says, ‘We can't do this without Leslie Higgins,’ and we go as a trio and find the only person that we think can help us because it's worked before.”](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/08/04/USAT/91168530007-ted-lasso-photo-040102.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham)
In the Season 4 opener, AFC Richmond club owner Rebecca flies to Kansas City to recruit Ted for the women’s team, with marketing genius Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) and her right-hand man, Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift).
“It's so lovely that clearly the germ went [from] Keeley Jones into Rebecca's ear,” Waddingham says. “Rebecca obviously says, ‘We can't do this without Leslie Higgins,’ and we go as a trio and find the only person that we think can help us because it's worked before.”
Michael Becker/Apple TVIn the Season 4 opener, AFC Richmond club owner Rebecca flies to Kansas City to recruit Ted for the women’s team, with marketing genius Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) and her right-hand man, Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift).
“It's so lovely that clearly the germ went [from] Keeley Jones into Rebecca's ear,” Waddingham says. “Rebecca obviously says, ‘We can't do this without Leslie Higgins,’ and we go as a trio and find the only person that we think can help us because it's worked before.”
Keeley Jones (Juno Temple)
After successfully pitching the women’s team, Keeley finds inspiration in Season 4 from the KC Current’s stadium. “That is the first stadium in the whole of America built solely for women's sports, and she's dreaming big!” Temple says.
Michael Becker/Apple TVAfter successfully pitching the women’s team, Keeley finds inspiration in Season 4 from the KC Current’s stadium. “That is the first stadium in the whole of America built solely for women's sports, and she's dreaming big!” Temple says.
Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift)
Who could keep operations going without Leslie Higgins?
“Higgins really keeps the wheels from all coming off,” Waddingham says with a laugh.
And Swift is delighted to be reunited with his “Ted Lasso” family.
“Ultimately, working together again is just the big thrill,” he says. “It's fantastic!”
Michael Becker/Apple TVWho could keep operations going without Leslie Higgins?
“Higgins really keeps the wheels from all coming off,” Waddingham says with a laugh.
And Swift is delighted to be reunited with his “Ted Lasso” family.
“Ultimately, working together again is just the big thrill,” he says. “It's fantastic!”
Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein)
In the Season 3 finale, everyone’s favorite grump, Roy Kent, assumed Ted’s position as coach of Richmond’s men’s team. Goldstein, who is also a writer on the series, returned for Season 4.
He told USA TODAY in 2025 that when the series wrapped, he cried.
"But I do think a part of me thought this wasn't the end,” he said. “I just felt like it's such a lovely world. It sort of felt like surely there'll be a way to do more.”
Colin Hutton/Apple TVIn the Season 3 finale, everyone’s favorite grump, Roy Kent, assumed Ted’s position as coach of Richmond’s men’s team. Goldstein, who is also a writer on the series, returned for Season 4.
He told USA TODAY in 2025 that when the series wrapped, he cried.
"But I do think a part of me thought this wasn't the end,” he said. “I just felt like it's such a lovely world. It sort of felt like surely there'll be a way to do more.”
Mae Green (Annette Badland)
Annette Badland resumed her role as Mae, the fiery pub owner and soccer enthusiast.
Colin Hutton/Apple TVAnnette Badland resumed her role as Mae, the fiery pub owner and soccer enthusiast.
Michelle Lasso (Andrea Anders)
In Season 4, Ted’s ex-wife and mother to their son, Henry, agreed to move across the pond so Ted could coach the Lady Greyhounds.
Michael Becker/Apple TVIn Season 4, Ted’s ex-wife and mother to their son, Henry, agreed to move across the pond so Ted could coach the Lady Greyhounds.
Dottie Lasso (Becky Ann Baker)
Dottie plays an essential role in Ted’s decision to return to Richmond. In the Season 4 launch, Ted inquires why his mom doesn’t ask about his job as assistant manager at a grocery store.
“Well, if you don’t care about it, why should I?” Dottie reasons. “It’s good for a boy to see his father do something he loves. Take the job.”
Colin Hutton/Apple TVDottie plays an essential role in Ted’s decision to return to Richmond. In the Season 4 launch, Ted inquires why his mom doesn’t ask about his job as assistant manager at a grocery store.
“Well, if you don’t care about it, why should I?” Dottie reasons. “It’s good for a boy to see his father do something he loves. Take the job.”
Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn)
Matthijs and Rebecca are still dating three years later. The airplane pilot that Rebecca met during a trip to Amsterdam in Season 3 appeared for some FaceTime flirting in the Season 4 premiere, and later in the finale.
Colin Hutton/Apple TVMatthijs and Rebecca are still dating three years later. The airplane pilot that Rebecca met during a trip to Amsterdam in Season 3 appeared for some FaceTime flirting in the Season 4 premiere, and later in the finale.
Phoebe (Elodie Blomfield)
Roy’s niece Phoebe is back for Season 4. Sudeikis teased that Blomfield and Grant Feely, who has taken over the role of Ted’s son Henry, “have a few scenes together” which “feel age appropriate.”
“They're not being little adults," Sudeikis says. "They're being just kids, and it's great.”
Luke Varley/Apple TVRoy’s niece Phoebe is back for Season 4. Sudeikis teased that Blomfield and Grant Feely, who has taken over the role of Ted’s son Henry, “have a few scenes together” which “feel age appropriate.”
“They're not being little adults," Sudeikis says. "They're being just kids, and it's great.”
Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster)
The hunky Jamie Tartt made a surprise return in Episode 6 of the fourth season, launching Apple Tartt Vodka with blonde locks.
It had previously been explained that Jamie, a fierce striker, had left AFC Richmond for FC Barcelona.
Colin Hutton, Apple TVThe hunky Jamie Tartt made a surprise return in Episode 6 of the fourth season, launching Apple Tartt Vodka with blonde locks.
It had previously been explained that Jamie, a fierce striker, had left AFC Richmond for FC Barcelona.
Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed)
Nate, who began his "Ted Lasso" journey as Richmond's equipment manager, returned in the Season 4 finale. He and Jade (Edyta Budnik) recently welcomed a baby, and Nate now coaches the Polish national football team.
Colin Hutton/Apple TVNate, who began his "Ted Lasso" journey as Richmond's equipment manager, returned in the Season 4 finale. He and Jade (Edyta Budnik) recently welcomed a baby, and Nate now coaches the Polish national football team.
Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh)
Sam, a beloved A.F.C. Richmond player, returned to watch the Lady Greyhound's last game of the season and give Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) a bit of advice in the Season 4 finale. Sam is pictured with his former teammate Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster).
Colin Hutton/Apple TVSam, a beloved A.F.C. Richmond player, returned to watch the Lady Greyhound's last game of the season and give Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) a bit of advice in the Season 4 finale. Sam is pictured with his former teammate Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster).
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